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With multiple public holidays falling on the same days, Sarawak’s Manpower Department outlines how substitute leave and entitlements should be applied under the Labour Ordinance.
The Sarawak Department of Manpower under the Ministry of Human Resources has issued guidance on how public holidays will be observed in 2026, following an overlap involving Wesak Day, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s Birthday, and the Gawai Day celebrations.
According to the statement, Wesak Day falls on 31 May 2026. This coincides with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s Birthday and the first day of Gawai on 1 June 2026 (Monday), followed by the second day of Gawai on 2 June 2026 (Tuesday).
Under subsection 104(1) of the Labour Ordinance (Sarawak Chapter 76), the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s Birthday is designated as a compulsory public holiday and cannot be substituted. In contrast, Wesak Day and the first and second days of Gawai are observed based on employees’ religious and cultural entitlements.
The subsection further states that when a public holiday falls on a rest day or overlaps with another public holiday, the next working day will serve as a substitute.
Based on this, employees covered under the Ordinance who are entitled to Wesak Day and both days of Gawai will observe 3 June 2026 as a substitute public holiday for Wesak Day, if it falls on a rest day. Meanwhile, 4 June 2026 will be designated as a replacement public holiday for the first day of Gawai, which coincides with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s Birthday.
The department added that these replacement dates may be adjusted through mutual agreement between employers and employees, in line with subsection 104(2) of the Ordinance.
In cases where employees are required to work on any of these public holidays or their substitutes, they are entitled to public holiday pay rates as stipulated under subsections 104(6) to (9).
The clarification seeks to provide employers and employees with a clearer explanation for managing overlapping public holidays, particularly in a period where religious and national observances coincide.
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